XAVIER VEILHAN
MAIN GALLERY
5 FEBRUARY - 4 MARCH 2000
Xavier (#1)
1999-2000
Oil on canvas
90.5 x 94.5 x 2.75 inches
Esse (#5)
1999-2000
Oil on canvas
90.5 x 94.5 x 2.75 inches
John (#3)
1999-2000
Oil on canvas
90.5 x 94.5 x 2.75 inches
Sandra Gering Gallery is pleased to present new paintings by Xavier Veilhan from 5 February through 4 March 2000.
The images in Veilhan's large scale canvases are simple visions, like remnants of dreams. Each could be described in one short phrase: a
man levitates over a city; a man stands in a forest. This simplicity of content is intended as a foil against the complex process behind the
work. The paintings grew from Veilhan's desire to completely split the conceptualization of the image from the physical process of making
the painting. The process was designed to remove the artist's personality from the work.
Beginning with drawings, Veilhan proceeded to photograph figures and backgrounds, which he then digitally collaged to arrive at the desired
images. Although technically the imagery was complete at that point (Veilhan's previous series had been photographs made in exactly this
manner) the process further involved translating the digital photographs into paintings. Veilhan engaged three friends to collaborate on the
paintings, adding one further layer of remove between himself and the work. As in some ateliers of the 17th and 18th centuries, these painters
were not envisioned simply as assistants, but as integral participants.
Veilhan discovered that this process did not have its expected effect. The collaborative experience brought unpredictable elements to the
work. Although the manner of execution was designed to neutralize his personality in the paintings, Veilhan found the harder he tried to
avoid it, the more that effort brought his vision forward. The isolated figures are revealing. The moments captured reflect universal dreams as
translated into the artist's language.
This is Xavier Veilhan's third solo exhibition at Sandra Gering Gallery. The new paintings are a logical progression from the large scale
photographs in his 1998 exhibition, one of which is currently installed at the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
From 5 February through May 2000, Veilhan will also have an installation entitled The Rhinoceros at Yves Saint Laurent, 88 Wooster Street,
New York.
L'Atelier:
Eric Foussat
Laurent Gaillard
Laurent Pinon